Recent News

John R. Hargrave, who has served East Central University as president since 2009, has announced his retirement, effective in the spring of 2017.

Connie Reilly, regent for the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO), was surprised by Hargrave’s decision and admitted, at first, she tried to talk him out of retirement.

“He has done a wonderful job for ECU. He brought a passion and excitement to ECU that was much needed,” Reilly said. “He is a wonderful fundraiser and is always adamant about bringing alumni back to campus and generating more pride in the university.”

Stephen H. Greetham, chief general for the Chickasaw Nation’s Division of Commerce, will deliver East Central University’s Lou Watkins Lecture on water law in Oklahoma at noon Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Foundation Hall of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.

Greetham also serves as the Chickasaw Nation’s special counsel on water and natural resources, where he works closely with tribal leadership in the management of complex litigation and resource protection and development strategies.

East Central University students Kane Kosure (left) and Elsa Moseley (right) recently went to University of Limoges in France to study for the fall semester through ECU’s Go Global Study Abroad Program, which is directed by Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya (center). Kosure, a senior business management major from McAlester and a Savanna High School graduate, will receive concurrent credit at ECU and have the opportunity to a achieve a French bachelor’s degree.

Live music and local art will once again be the center of Ada’s Main Street, the Honorary Blake Shelton Boulevard and the Arts District of Ada near East Central University, with the return of the AdaFest Saturday, Aug. 27.

This year’s festival has focused putting the Ada back in AdaFest by featuring local artists and musicians from Ada or who have strong ties to the area.

East Central University Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and Legal Studies Dr. Christine Pappas will give a talk on the death penalty in Oklahoma entitled “Oklahoma’s Legacy of Tinkering with the Machinery of Death” at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 29.

Every four years when the Summer Olympic Games roll around, East Central University’s Dr. Gerald Williamson likes to make connections with three former ECU standout athletes.

All three of those stars competed for their respective countries – Cherene Hiesl-Castillo in softball for Team Canada and Gina Farmer and Rebecca Cotton in women’s basketball for New Zealand – in the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia.

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and community
interact to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,
East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.